The Hammersmith and Fulham Volunteer Centre (HFVC) honoured nearly 100 volunteers for their outstanding contribution to their local community. At a ceremony hosted at Hammersmith Town Hall, local residents who have shown exceptional skill and dedication across all areas of volunteering, from provision of meals on wheels to prisoner mentoring, were presented an award by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Belinda Donovan and Councillor Joe Carlebach (Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet Member for Community Care).

HFVC, who worked with over 7,000 volunteers last year, asked community and voluntary organisations to nominate volunteers who have been truly outstanding for an award. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Belinda Donovan said, ‘It was such a huge honour to present the Awards at the HFVC Christmas Event, so many residents of Hammersmith & Fulham give up their time to help others in so many different ways’. Volunteers do not ask for recognition but very much appreciate being honoured in this way. One of the Award winners, Andre Hutchinson, who volunteers for the charity CARA that supports people living with aids/HIV said, ‘It was a great ceremony and I really enjoyed it’.

HFVC Director, Marion Schumann, stressed the importance of recognising the efforts of local volunteers, “What an excellent evening we had! There were so many Volunteers who attended to receive awards and what wonderful stories about their volunteering experiences. We, at HFVC must continue to celebrate, recognise and reward Volunteers for their sterling efforts to make Hammersmith & Fulham a wonderful environment in which to live. Long live VOLUNTEERING and Seasons Greetings to all!”

Eleven young volunteers from HFVC’s Events 4 Youth project helped plan and run the Awards Ceremony which began with the formal presentation of awards and was followed by a range of live performances all booked and staged managed by the youth volunteers. The event was a great success with over two hundred people filling out the Town Hall who enjoyed the music and dancing provided by TNS, Kiera Lorelle Rhomes, Werewolf, Creative Kidz and Geoff Schumann.

If anyone wishes to get involved in the wide and varied volunteering opportunities available in the local community, please get in touch with Hammersmith and Fulham Volunteer Centre